operating system
Let an agent identify which operating system and version a device runs, explain what the system is responsible for, relay support lifecycles, security update and compatibility information from vendors, and separate the operating system from firmware, applications and hardware.
Bundle → Layer → Finding → Questions Filled
4 bundles · 8 layers · 8 findings · 16 questions
Identify Which system this is.
Which system
Name and version.
Which
Which.
- Which operating system and version does the device run, and how is that read? definition
- Is the question about the operating system, the firmware or an application? boundary
Lifecycle
Support status.
Lifecycle
Lifecycle.
- Is this version still supported, and when does support end according to the vendor? provenance
- Where is the lifecycle policy published? action
Function What it does.
Core
Kernel duties.
Core
Core.
- How does the system manage processes, memory, storage and devices? definition
- Which entry fits file systems or networking in depth? action
Interfaces
User and program interfaces.
Interfaces
Interfaces.
- What interfaces does the system offer to users and to programs? definition
- Which standards govern those interfaces? provenance
Operate Running and securing.
Updates
Updates and patches.
Updates
Updates.
- How are updates delivered, and what does the vendor advise about applying them? provenance
- Is the user asking for help with a specific device, which needs its vendor support? boundary
Security
Security.
Security
Security.
- What security features and hardening guidance do vendors and agencies publish? provenance
- Which entry fits malware and incidents? action
Choose Comparing and learning.
Compare
Comparison.
Compare
Compare.
- How do systems compare for a given use case in compatibility, licensing and support? measurement
- Which criteria matter for the user? action
Learn
Study.
Learn
Learn.
- How are operating systems taught and studied, and which references are standard? provenance
- How did operating systems develop historically? provenance
Classifiers Filled
- Family
- Thing Registry
- Category
- Physical world and living systems
- Entry kind
- thing
- Plane
- PHY
- Domain
- PHY.OBJ
- Other names and narrower kinds
- BIOS, ABIOS, Flash BIOS, IBM PC ROM BIOS, television operating system, mobile operating system, proprietary operating system, operating environment, smartwatch operating system, free operating system, AmigaDOS, Guardian
What it is Filled
The system software that manages a computer or device: it controls hardware, schedules processes, manages memory, storage, files, devices, networking and security, and provides the interfaces that application programs and users depend on; examples include Windows, macOS, Linux distributions, Android, iOS and real-time systems for embedded devices.
Why it exists Filled
Let an agent identify which operating system and version a device runs, explain what the system is responsible for, relay support lifecycles, security update and compatibility information from vendors, and separate the operating system from firmware, applications and hardware.
Distinguishing features Filled
- Sits between hardware and applications
- Owns processes, memory, files, devices and access control
- Has a version and a support lifecycle
- Firmware and applications are separate layers
What robots and AI may and may not do Filled
Must not
- Install, modify or bypass an operating system on a device without its owner's consent.
- Disable security features such as updates, firewalls or access controls.
- Apply untested changes to production systems without a backup.
- Help evade licensing or install malware.
Only with a human decision
- Upgrading or reinstalling the operating system on systems others depend on.
- Wiping a device.
May
- Explain operating systems and their functions.
- Administer and update operating systems the agent is authorized to manage.
- Report security updates and end-of-support dates.
Moral aspects Filled
- Operating systems control access to everyone's data on a device.
- Unsupported systems leave users exposed to attack.
Who is affected
- Device users
- People whose data is stored
- System administrators
Owners Filled
Steward
The owner of the device; the vendor or project maintains the system software.
Links to other meta-models Filled
parent
- Q676202 - registry parent class
related
- system software - the category
- computer - the hardware it manages
- firmware - BIOS and UEFI start the machine but are a different layer
- application software - what the system exists to host
What else AI and robots need to interact with it Filled
Identity and identifiers required Filled
- Vercy registry: vr.tr.operating-system
- Wikidata: Q9135 (https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q9135)
- name and version: vendor naming shown in settings
- kernel version: numeric for Linux and similar systems
- build number: vendor specific identifies the exact release
Direct properties not applicable Not applicable
Not applicable
An operating system is software and has no intrinsic physical properties separate from the hardware and storage media that implement it.
Recognition required Filled
- Name and version shown in system settings or by a command
- Kernel, shell and package manager identify a Linux distribution
- Firmware such as BIOS or UEFI starts the machine and is not the operating system
- Not visible as an object; seen through its user interface, its name and version in settings, and its command shell.
Capabilities and actions required Filled
- identify the system and version on a device
- explain what the operating system does
- relay support and update information
- compare systems for a use case
Hazards and failure modes required Filled
- Unsupported versions without security updates
- Driver and hardware incompatibility
- Data loss during upgrades
- Malware exploiting system vulnerabilities
Standards and interfaces required Filled
- POSIX from IEEE for interfaces
- Vendor support lifecycle policies
- Security certification schemes such as Common Criteria
- Accessibility requirements in public procurement
Context of use required Filled
- Running a computer and the programs on it.
- desktop and laptop systems such as Windows, macOS and Linux distributions
- mobile systems such as Android and iOS
- server systems
- real-time and embedded systems
- systems for televisions, cars and appliances
Sources Filled
- Wikidata item Q9135: operating system - identity and sense of the item
- Wikipedia: Operating system - general description of the item
Open questions
- Should each operating system be a separate entry?
- How should support lifecycle dates be linked?
- The registry entry has merged BIOS aliases, which are firmware; should they be split off?
Machine files
Provenance
thing registry research (pass 2) · unreviewed
Built from: models/things/publications/thing-q9135/spec.json